Markham-based NordSpace Corp. announced today that it has been awarded approximately $250,000 from the Department of National Defence (DND) through the Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program. The Phase 1 funding will support the company’s Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) satellite constellation technology concept, dubbed “Kestrel.”
The award falls under the IDEaS “Extended communication coverage” challenge, which seeks solutions integrating satellite and terrestrial networks for secure connectivity. NordSpace intends to use the Phase 1 funding to mature architecture and payload concepts for resilient non-terrestrial networks (NTN). According to the company, the Kestrel constellation is being designed to provide direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity compatible with standard 5G mobile networks and Internet of Things (IoT) devices, aiming to offer reduced latency and improved link budgets compared to higher-orbit alternatives.
Beyond communications, NordSpace envisions the future constellation providing 10 cm ultra-high-resolution Earth observation and Space Domain Awareness (SDA) capabilities. This aligns directly with Canada’s defence priorities, specifically addressing NORAD modernization efforts and the need for reliable connectivity in the Arctic and remote regions.
“Non-terrestrial networks are transforming how we think about coverage, resilience, and interoperability, evidenced by systems like SpaceX’s Starlink,” said Rahul Goel, Chief Executive Officer of NordSpace, in a press release. “By iterating quickly from our Space Systems Lab to on-orbit demonstrators, we can help DND/CAF and public safety agencies stay ahead of threats, maintain communications in the harshest conditions, and better protect Canadians at home and abroad.”
The DND contract highlights a continuing strategic expansion for NordSpace. Originally focused primarily on launch vehicles, the company has increasingly positioned itself as a vertically integrated end-to-end space missions provider over the last year. This pivot follows the late 2025 launch of its Space Systems Lab, a recent investment in hyperspectral imaging company Wyvern through its new Ventures division, and its inclusion in the broader $105 million “Launch the North” IDEaS challenge.
Ultimately, NordSpace aims to deploy the Kestrel constellation using its own orbital launch vehicles from its planned Atlantic Spaceport Complex (ASX) in Newfoundland and Labrador.
As a precursor to the Kestrel constellation, NordSpace is currently preparing its inaugural pathfinder satellite, Terra Nova. The self-funded, dual-use demonstration mission is scheduled to fly on a SpaceX Transporter mission later in 2026, serving as an in-orbit testbed for payload technologies and operational concepts.